Occasionally we can experience an unexpected shooting pain in one of our feet. This sharp pain is usually felt between the 3rd and 4th metatarsal heads.These symptoms generally are a neuroma or as it is also called, Morton’s Neuroma. This is a frequent foot disorder seen by Podiatrists. When you have a neuroma you will have inflammation and sharp pain in the area. The symptoms that you're going to feel if you do have a neuroma commonly can be sharp pain, burning, pins and needles, tingling, cramping pains in the front part of the foot and frequently there will be deficiencies in sensation in that part of the foot.
The actual cause of the neuroma is usually because the metatarsals of the 3rd and 4th toes are squeezing a nerve which is centrally located between them. You will get the shooting pain of the neuroma just after there's been significant load on the ball of your foot. The activities which cause this kind of force are walking, standing, leaping or even running. These are high-impact activities which have been known to place a high amount of force and stress on your feet. The other way that you can get this condition is by using footwear with pointed toes and high heels. The higher heels puts strain on the feet as the weight of the body is sustained by the front area of your foot. While there is no other balance for the foot you are forced to depend upon the ball of the foot to balance the body when you are walking, running or any other physical activity.
Neuromas are a curable foot disorder that can also be prevented from happening altogether. The first step to managing the neuroma is to pick and use the suitable shoes. The shoes that you need to pick must have a wide area for the ball of the foot and the top of the shoes must not press down onto your feet. Next consider wearing a foot orthotic that has been designed with a metatarsal support. The metatarsal pad will be positioned behind the ball of the foot. By having the metatarsal dome placed in this location the load on the foot is relieved because the weight on the feet are distributed evenly throughout the foot. If these self-help methods don't help, then see a podiatrist for other options.